Citizen science sheds more light on bird conservation

Suhel Quader, Principal Scientist, Nature Conservation Society, delivering the Salim Ali Memorial Lecture at CASFOS in Coimbatore on Thursday. | Photo credit: PERIASAMY M

Consistent monitoring and documentation of birds by non-scientists, including birders, plays a key role in understanding the status, emerging trends and challenges in avifauna conservation, says Suhel Quader , scientist at the Nature Conservation Foundation.

Documentation of birds on internet platforms like eBird around the world helps ornithologists understand the population, distribution and other trends of a broad category of birds, ranging from generalist birds to habitat specialists and more. by those facing extinction, observed Dr. Quader, while delivering a memorial lecture on Sálim Ali as part of the celebration of the 128th birth anniversary of famous ornithologist Sálim Ali at the Central Forest Service Academy of the state in Coimbatore on Friday.

Digital bird monitoring platforms; birding events such as the Great Backyard Bird Count, Pongal Bird Count, Onam Bird Count and Bihu Bird Count; and bird atlases like Mysore City Bird Atlas, Kerala Bird Atlas, Coimbatore City Bird Atlas and Pune Bird Atlas have proven that citizen science plays a key role in bird conservation, Dr Quader said at the memorial conference on the subject. Beyond Birdwatching: The Remarkable Power of Citizen Science.”

He pointed out that periodic monitoring and documentation by birders has led to a better understanding of population trends and changes in the distribution patterns of resident and migratory bird species in the country. Citing that 186 species of birds have been recorded in the large Ukkadam reservoir in Coimbatore, Dr Quader stressed the need to protect these habitats and keep them safe from development activities.

Organized by the Sálim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), which is the South India Center of the Wildlife Institute of India, the memorial conference brought together biologists, bird watchers, wildlife enthusiasts nature and students.

S. Ramasubramanian, Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore; P. Pramod, Principal Principal Scientist SACON, Rajah Jayapal, Principal Principal Scientist SACON, Aditi Mukherjee, Scientist and Extension Officer, SACON, spoke. Prizes were distributed to the winners of various competitions organized by SACON for students, schools and teachers.